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Whalley Cyclist Joins Heart Scarring Study in Veteran Athletes Trial
ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 18 – Nearly half of older male endurance athletes have heart scarring linked to a 4.5-fold increase in dangerous heart rhythms, according to a University of Leeds study.
- On July 17, 2025, a UK study found nearly half of older male endurance athletes had heart scarring and were over 4.5 times more likely to experience arrhythmias, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging.
- Amid rising athlete mortality concerns, experts noted sudden cardiac death risk, the research was led by Wasim Javed, PhD.
- In a prospective cohort, researchers enrolled 106 asymptomatic male endurance athletes aged 50+ exercising over 10 hours weekly for 15+ years, identifying left ventricular dilatation and premature ventricular contractions as predictors of arrhythmia.
- While training at the Manchester Velodrome in May 2024, Cookson experienced ventricular tachycardia, and he received an ICD in August.
- The authors said future studies will examine female endurance athletes, and more research is needed to pinpoint at-risk individuals eligible for ICD intervention.
12 Articles
12 Articles
A new study reveals that older men who engage in intense endurance sports for many years may be more susceptible to heart muscle scarring and related cardiac complications.
Evening Standard
Heart issues among endurance athletes studied by scientists
Researchers examined 106 former competitive cyclists or triathletes.
Scar Tissue in Athletes’ Hearts Linked to Higher Risk of Dangerous Cardiac Rhythms
A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging has found a concerning link between scar tissue in the heart and the risk of dangerous heart rhythms among healthy, long-time male endurance athletes aged 50 or older. The research, named VENTOUX after the challenging Mont Ventoux climb in the Tour de France, involved 106 male cyclists and triathletes who trained at least 10 hours a week for 15 years or more. These athletes showed n…
Scar Tissue in Older Endurance Athletes' Hearts Linked to Increased Risk of Dangerous Arrhythmias
Introduction A recent study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging has revealed a concerning link between scar tissue in the hearts of older male endurance athletes and an increased risk of dangerous cardiac rhythms. This research, conducted by the American Heart Association, highlights the potential for sudden cardiac death in this demographic, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventive measures. Understanding Ventr…
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